ICON Community Services and National Rehabilitation and Rediscovery Foundation presents "Journey Toward Independence," an annual conference for traumatic brain injury survivors and caregivers Saturday, Oct. 27 at the George W. Johnson Center, George Mason University, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax. For information go to www.iconservices.org or call 703-548-4048.

Fairfax County hosts its Fifth Annual Caregiver Seminar, ‘Give Care, Take Care,’ Friday, Oct. 26 from 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. at the Springfield Golf and Country Club, 8301 Old Keene Mill Road, Springfield. Guests include author and educator Jane McKeel, Sue Stone of Alzheimer’s Family Day Care, and more. Also features an Information Resource Fair. $10 for snack and buffet lunch. Limited scholarships, assistance with respite care available upon request. Pre-register by Oct. 12 at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/aaa.

Good Grief for Children 5-12 Years Old. Life with Cancer Family Center, Suite 203, Room B, 2832 Juniper St., Fairfax., in the Merrifield area. This is the continuation of an eight-week series utilizing group activities and art therapy through which children can share thoughts and feelings to help with the grief process. Call 703-698-2841 or visit www.lifewithcancer.org.

Lung Cancer Group. Join fellow lung cancer patients and family members to discuss the challenges of living with lung cancer and its treatments. Facilitated by an oncology counselor. At the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Fairfax, Room 1E. Call 703-698-2841 or visit www.lifewithcancer.com.

DivorceCare is offered as a support group at First Baptist Church of Springfield, 7300 Gary St., Springfield, each Wednesday evening at 6:30 p.m. in the Church Parlor. Call the church office at 703-451-1500.

Personal trainer Pete Bua of Fairfax offers a free 45-minute introductory training session and workout at the newly-opened Ascend Fitness studio, 3970 Walnut St., Fairfax, or at clients’ homes or offices. Bua, a Certified Personal Trainer, has been working in Fairfax County for three years. He is CPR-certified by the American Red Cross and a sports nutritional consultant to Nutrico NV. Call 703-203-3996 or e-mail pete@ascend-fitness.com.

Young widowhood support group for persons under the age of 50 who have been widowed two years or less, meets the second and fourth Monday of each month 7-8:30 p.m., at The Washington Regional Transplant Consortium, 8110 Gatehouse Road, Suite 101, W., Falls Church. It is an open group with an open agenda each meeting. Registration required. Free. RSVP to Lisa Colaianni at 703-641-0100.

Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia offers the Lebed method "Focus On Healing" classes Thursdays 6:15-7:30 p.m. Meets in the adult lounge at JCCNV, 8900 Little River Turnpike, Fairfax. Focus on Healing is a therapeutic program of exercise and movement to music designed especially for breast cancer survivors. First class is free. Call Jacki at 571-212-3347 or e-mail lebedmethod@verizon.net.

A support group in Burke will offer support and information to people caring for elderly or disabled adults, whether these loved ones live in their home, nearby residences or miles away. Meetings are free and open to the public. This caregivers support group meets on the second and fourth Saturday of each month, 1-2:30 p.m., at Accotink Unitarian Universalist Church, 10125 Lakehaven Court, Burke. Call 703-451-8631 or e-mail jjclement@earthlink.net.

Inova Blood Donor Services is open weekdays, 8 a.m.-8 p.m. and Saturdays, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., at its main location at 3289 Woodburn Road in Annandale. To inquire about appointments at a convenient donor center or blood drive, call 1-866-256-6372 or visit www.inova.org/donateblood.

Other Inova blood donation sites are:

* Inova Alexandria Hospital

4320 Seminary Road, Alexandria

703-504-3500

Hours: Monday and Wednesday; noon-8 p.m.

Tuesday, Thursday, Friday; 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

* Inova Mount Vernon Hospital

2501 Parker's Lane, Alexandria

703-664-7229

Hours: Monday-Thursday; 4-7 p.m.

* CentreMed, Centreville

703-322-1970

Hours: Tuesday, Thursday and Friday; noon-8 p.m.

Saturday; 8 a.m.-2 p.m.

La Leche League of Burke meets the first Saturday of each month at 9:30 a.m. The breastfeeding support group offers help and support to mothers who are currently breastfeeding a child or anyone who plans to breastfeed. Expectant and new mothers are encouraged to attend. The topic is "The Advantages of Breastfeeding to Mother and Baby" but all questions and concerns are addressed. Free, babies welcome. For directions and more information contact Leslie at 703-256-2754 or Marisa at 703-323-7301.

Registration for weekday and weekend Lamaze childbirth classes in Springfield is available at www.lamaze-dc.com or by calling 703-549-2226.

The Patriot Sports Medicine outpatient rehabilitation clinic in Burke can now provide the "Fenzian Treatment System," an electrical impulse technique that provides symptomatic relief and management of chronic and acute traumatic pain. Patriot Sports Medicine is located at 6035 Burke Centre Parkway, Suite 300, Burke. For more information, call 703-978-3300.

Alzheimer's Family Day Center, located at 2812 Old Lee Highway, Fairfax, hosts various classes. Reservations are required, and classes are open to people who are caring for a relative or friend with dementia. For more, call Greta at 703-204-4664 or visit www.alzheimersfdc.org/classes.htm.

King of Kings Lutheran Church, 4025 Kings Way, Fairfax, will conduct a support group for loved ones with Alzheimer's on the second Thursday of each month at 7:30 p.m. Call toll-free 1-866-272-3900 or visit www.alz-nca.org/fs/supgrpid.php. Support groups are subject to change. Contact the Alzheimer's Association prior to attending for the first time to verify date, time and location.

The Parkinson Foundation of the National Capital Area offers the following support group opportunities:

* Fairfax Sully Group and Exercise Class. The Parkinson's Disease Support Group meets monthly on the fourth Saturday, from 10-11 a.m., with an exercise class at 11 a.m., at the Fair Oaks Sunrise Assisted Living Facility, 3750 Joseph Siewick Drive, Fairfax. The Parkinson Foundation (PFNCA) welcomes PD patients and family members. Co-leaders are Bill Robbins 703-830-3823 and Darryl Edwards 703-378-9213. Visit www.parkinsonstories.com.

* Fairfax Little River Glen Group. The Parkinson's Disease Support Group meets on the third Thursday of the month at 1 p.m., at Little River Glen Senior Center, 4001 Barker Court, Fairfax. The Parkinson Foundation (PFNCA) welcomes PD patients, family members, and carepartners. No charge. Call Leon Paparella at 202-966-4450.

* The Springfield Parkinson's Disease Support Group meets on the fourth Thursday of the month at 2 p.m., at Greenspring Village, 7400 Spring Village Drive, Town Center Building, Music Room, Springfield. The Parkinson Foundation (PFNCA) welcomes PD patients, family members and carepartners. Call Michel Margosis at 703-569-2630 or Mitch Mills at 703-913-0270.

* The Parkinson's Disease Support Group meets on the fourth Saturday of the month from 10-11 a.m., with an exercise class normally reserved at 11 a.m., at the Fair Oaks Sunrise Assisted Living Facility, 3750 Joseph Siewick Drive, Fairfax. The Parkinson Foundation (PFNCA) welcomes PD patients and family members. For more information, contact Bill Robbins at 703-830-3823 or e-mail wbr_yanks@cox.net and Darryl Edwards at 703-378-9213. Visit www.parkinsonstories.com.

TLC: Teens Living with Cancer. Monthly social activities for 13 to 18-year-olds who have cancer give them a chance to meet others with cancer, share a little, and have fun. Call 703-208-5623 for details. At the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Fairfax. Call 703-698-2841 or visit www.lifewithcancer.org.

Fibromyalgia/Arthritis Support Group. Meets the third Friday of each month at 1 p.m. at Pohick Library, 6450 Sydenstricker Road, Burke. Call Barbara at 703-913-0890 or Maxine at 703-451-4558.

The Little River Yoga Studio offers a Mum and Baby Yoga Class, Thursdays at 10 a.m., and a Kidz Yoga Class Thursdays at 4:30 p.m. at the studio, 6399 Little River Turnpike, Annandale. For details call 703 203 8510 or email littleriveryoga@gmail.com. For a schedule of classes see www.littleriveryoga.com.

The Body and Soul cardio and strength training class meets every Monday and Friday from 9-10:15 a.m. at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 8304 Old Keene Mill Road, Springfield Mondays until March 26. Body and Soul is a complete cardiovascular and strength workout to contemporary Christian music. For more, call Suzann at 703-372-2332, e-mail Salbanese@cox.net or go to www.bodyandsoul.org.

Brain Tumor Group, first Tuesday of the month at the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Fairfax. Adult patients and families are invited to share and learn ways to meet the challenges of living with primary malignant or benign brain tumors. For more information, call 703-698-2841.

The Caregivers Meeting. Weekly drop-in group for family members and friends of those with cancer to discuss various concerns. Wednesdays, from 7-8:30 p.m., at Inova Fairfax Hospital in the Radiation Oncology Conference Room. Use the blue garage. Call 703-698-2841 or visit www.lifewithcancer.org.

Alzheimer's Caregiver Support Groups are facilitated by trained group leaders, ongoing, free and open to the community. For schedules, call 1-866-259-0042.

Burke/Springfield/Fairfax Compassionate Friends Support Group. Friendship and understanding to families grieving the death of a child. The support group meets monthly at St. Mary of Sorrows Catholic Church, 5222 Sideburn Road, Fairfax, at 7:30 p.m. Call 703-425-9504.

Birth Mothers support group meets weekly in Northern Virginia. It is for any woman who has ever placed a child in adoption and would like to meet with others who have done the same. A licensed clinical social worker and a national certified counselor will lead the group. Call Pat Cunningham or Stephanie Hayden at Catholic Charities at 703-425-0100. A modest fee is charged based on income.

Body and Soul aerobics and strength training classes meet every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, from 9-10:30 a.m., at Burke Community Church, 9990 Old Keene Mill Road. Body and Soul is a complete cardiovascular and strength workout to contemporary Christian music. Call Suzann Albanese at 703-372-2332.

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society sponsors the 'First Connection' program, which matches patients newly diagnosed with leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma or another blood-related cancer — and their families — with cancer survivors who have lived through a similar illness. For more information on this program, call 703-960-1100, ext. 231.

Learn the simple practice of mindfulness meditation Sunday evenings from 7-8 p.m. at the Fairfax Sun and Moon Yoga Studio, 9998 Main St., Fairfax. Free, just drop in. For more see www.sunandmoonstudio.com.

NOVACO Transitional Housing is a non-profit program for victims of domestic abuse. Through HUD funding and community and church donations, the organization offers a comprehensive two-year transitional housing program for families including counseling, education for job enhancement, life skills training and child care. All clients receive follow-up counseling for up to two years after graduation from the program. Call 202-723-3000.

Food Addicts In Recovery Anonymous is a program for individuals recovering from addictive eating and anorexia based on the 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous. There are no dues, fees or weigh-ins at our meetings. Meetings are held on Tuesdays at 7 p.m. and Saturdays at 8 a.m., at Westwood Baptist Church, 8200 Old Keene Mill Road, Springfield. Call 1-877-805-2823 for more information and other times and locations.

Sunrise Assisted Living of Fairfax offers a short-term stay program for aging persons. Fees vary depending on the community and personal care needs. Three meals per day are included. Program is designed for one week's stay to several months. Call 703-691-0046. Sunrise of Fairfax is located at 9207 Arlington Blvd., Fairfax.

Individual Nutrition Counseling. Schedule an individual appointment with registered dietitian Julie Thorsen from Inova Fairfax Cancer Center's Cancer Patient Nutrition Support Program and learn how to optimize your nutritional status related to the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Call 703-289-8787 to schedule an appointment.

VITAS Innovative Hospice Care of Northern Virginia offers pet therapy and a multilingual staff to patients and families living in the City of Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax, Prince William and Loudoun counties. Volunteers should contact the program office at 703-788-6680 for opportunities to participate in patient care. Families may call 800-93-VITAS for more information about hospice or to schedule a free consultation.

HAVEN of Northern Virginia sponsors the following bereavement support groups. HAVEN of Northern Virginia is located at 4604 Ravensworth Road, Annandale. For more information, call 703-941-7000 or visit www.havenofnova.org:

* Widow/Widower Bereavement Support Groups, for anyone grieving the death of a spouse. Meetings take place on the first and third Thursday of the month from 2-3:30 p.m. or on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month from 7:30-9 p.m.

* Suicide Survivors Bereavement Support Group, for anyone grieving the loss of a loved one to suicide, meets the first Tuesday of the month from 7:30-9 p.m.

* One on One Support. A volunteer will meet with a person grieving the death of a loved one, as needed, to provide individual support. Volunteers will be carefully selected to match individual needs.

Lamaze classes will be on Wednesday nights at Kaiser in Springfield. Weekend classes are also available. Call 301-352-9727 to register.

Northern Virginia Community College is awarding scholarships to child care providers through a program sponsored by the Virginia Department of Social Services. The goal is to produce well-trained childcare providers in an effort to lead those individuals to future success and assist parents. Details are available at www.dss.virginia.gov/family/cc/scholarship.html or call 866-636-1608 (toll-free) for more information.

The Jewish Social Service Agency sponsors services for older adults in Northern Virginia, including in-home support services such as nonsectarian geriatric care management services and counseling for seniors and their families. Call 703-204-9100. The Jewish Social Service Agency is located at 3018 Javier Road, Fairfax.

Alzheimer's Association Caregiver Support Group. Meets the third Monday of the month from 10-11:30 a.m., at Manor Care of Fair Oaks, 12475 Lee Jackson Highway. Facilitated by trained group leaders, ongoing, free and open to the community. Support groups allow families to meet other caregivers, to share experiences and caregiving tips while developing coping skills. Caregivers and family members are invited to visit. Call Anita Newsome, group leader, at 703- 352-7172 prior to attending for the first time.

CanSurvive. Life with Cancer sponsors a patient-led, drop-in lunchtime general cancer support group for those dealing with any type of cancer on Thursdays at noon, at the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Fairfax. Call 301-610-9146 or visit www.can-survive.net.

The Epilepsy Foundation of Virginia sponsors support groups and classes for adults diagnosed with seizure disorders and caregivers. Free. For additional information, call Dana at 703-425-6669.

Thyroid Cancer Support Group. Open to thyroid cancer survivors and their adult loved ones to share information and support in this monthly meeting co-sponsored by the Thyroid Cancer Survivors' Association. Call 1-877-588-7904.

Spirituality Quest support group meets on the second Tuesday of each month at the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Fairfax. Call 703-698-2841.

Multiple Myeloma Group meets monthly to discuss experiences, emotions and challenges of living with multiple myeloma. The Life With Cancer Family Center is located at 2832 Juniper St., Fairfax. Call 703-698-2841.

Metastatic Breast Cancer support groups provide a closed group setting with other women living with metastatic breast cancer, take place on Thursdays and Fridays. Registration is required. Call Sage Bolte at 703-208-5620.

Birthmothers is an outreach ministry for pregnant women serving Fairfax county. They match pregnant women with a specially trained friend who listens to concerns about being pregnant, the baby's father and the future. The group also connects women with practical assistance like low-cost prenatal care, housing resources or legal aid. Birthmothers is confidential and free. Call 1-877-77BIRTH.

Short-term Counseling Services offers an opportunity to discuss the challenges that follow a cancer diagnosis and to explore effective ways of coping. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call the Life with Cancer office at 703-698-2820.

Recovery Inc. is a nonprofit support group for depression, bipolar disorder and other nervous disease meets every Friday at Boulevard Baptist Church, 7000 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church. Contact Lee at 703-777-1708.

Chapter 5300 of the AARP meets on the first Tuesday of each month at Greenspring Retirement Community in Springfield in the theater at Village Square at 1 p.m.

Home Safety Survey is an opportunity to spot fire or life safety hazards. The life safety education officer or a City of Fairfax fire inspector will perform a home walk-through to inspect all smoke detectors, review fire escape plans, check to see that all emergency numbers are posted, scan for other safety hazards and make suggestions to remedy any problems. Call Lt. John Henderson at 703-273-8109 to make an appointment.

Doorways for Women and Families provides a safe, weekly, confidential domestic violence support group. The support group meets on Tuesdays and helps current and former victims of domestic violence share feelings, thoughts and information to make healthy life choices and end abuse. Call 702-237-0881.

Burke Internal Medicine, 5631 Burke Center Parkway, offers free health evaluations for individuals ages 55 and over who have no current health coverage. Included in the offer is a free cholesterol screening, blood pressure screening, diabetes screening, personal risk assessment and consultation. To make an appointment, call Dr. Nabil Andrawis or Dr. Nashwa Gabra at 703-250-5171.

My Gym Children's Fitness Center of Burke now offers registration for its fall session. The fitness center offers fitness classes for children as well as birthday parties. For more information about My Gym of Burke or to register for fall classes, contact Valarie Jacobs at 703-425-5327.

A health education and physical fitness program for adults over 50 meets Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9:15 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. on the Fairfax GMU campus, University Drive, Fairfax. This nationally-recognized program is sponsored by George Mason University and managed by its participants. The focus is to improve physical well-being and to increase stamina. $40/month. For more information e-mail admin@creativefitness.biz and leave name, phone number and e-mail address.

The Northern Virginia Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia Support Group offers a support group the third Saturday of every month from 2-4 p.m. at the Mason Government Center, 6507 Columbia Pike, Annandale. Open to anyone interested in CFC, FM, Mitral Valve Prolapse Syndrome/Dysautonomia and orthostatic intolerance. Free; free parking. No stairs to climb. Refrain from wearing scented products. For more contact Elly Brosius at 703-968-9818, cfsupport-owner@yahoogroups.com or visit www.geocities.com/cfsnova.

The Alzheimer's Association, National Capital Area accepts used car donations through its partner cars4charities. Call 1-866-448-3487 or visit www.cars4charities.org. Vehicles are towed away free of charge. Some restrictions apply.